I’m a big fan of Orson Welles, and probably Touch of Evil is my favourite film made by Welles. One of the great things now, with time, is looking back on the career of Welles this is one of the few films that escaped the meddling of the studios.
It’s wonderful, dark, lusty and features a performance by Welles that is simply magnificent.
Of course, the direction is exemplary and features the now famous opening shot, wonderfully sent up in Robert Altman’s The Player.
I have other reasons for loving this movie, one of them is Janet Leigh, who’s used in ways that Hitchcock could only dream about.
I’d recommend that everyone read Rosebud by David Thompson which is fantastic study of Welles’ career, films, life and loves. Below is a scene from Touch of Evil. Watch it soon!
So, 82 films to go!
Matthew Cooper has written for Emmerdale, Eastenders, Hollyoaks and Family Affairs. He was winner of the first ever Lloyds Bank Channel Four Film Challenge and the Oscar Moore Screenplay Prize. His first short film starred a then unknown Ewan McGregor and was picked up by Channel Four when Matthew was 19 years old. He’s been a script writer for hire and filmmaker for hire for over 20 years.